Question: What are the two major sects or denominations of Islam?

Answer: Twelver (Imami) Shi’ism and Sunnism   

Question: Does Shi’ism have subsects?

Answer: Yes, in addition to Twelver Shi’ism, there is Ismailism, Zaydism and other branches.

Question: How do we know what the right sect or denomination is in Islam?

Answer: The Qur’an teaches us that on the Day of Judgment, people will be resurrected with their Imams or Leaders. This means that by following the right leader, one can follow the right sect. The Prophet taught us that these leaders are the Ahl al-Bayt (as). 

Question: Who are the right Imams or Leaders one should follow according to Islam? Are they the companions of the Prophet (s) ?

Answer: The Prophet (s) taught us in Hadith al-Thaqalayn as well as in the hadith of Ghadeer that his Ahl al-Bayt (as) (Prophet's Holy Household) were the right leaders of guidance.   

Question: How many rightful sects can we have?

Answer: As truth is one, there can be one truthful sect. 

Question: Is it possible that there are no right sects in Islam? That is, they are all deviant?

Answer: No, as the inevitable result of this would be a crisis in divine providence. If Islam is the last religion, and there are no right sects, then this means that the earth will be locked out of access to the truth. However, the teachings of the Prophet (s) tell us otherwise as he explicitly taught that the earth will always have a guide until the Day of Judgment.